Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has been cleared of charges against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a decision dated Feb. 27, 2023, received Oct. 9, Ombudsman dismissed for lack of substantial evidence the case for conduct unbecoming of a public official, grave abuse of authority, and grave misconduct filed by Jun A. Capulot and Plaridel C. Nava II.
The complainants alleged of ostentatious and immoderate spending during the height of Covid-19 pandemic on their filing April 4, 2022.
This, after the mayor entered into loan contract with Development Bank of the Philippines some P1.75-billion for the new public markets and seven-storey parking building.
In his counter-affidavit, Treñas denied accusations and clarified that the loan is valid as it complied with rules pertaining to loan acquisition of a public corporation.
“The Finance Committee studied the contract of loan and the City Council approved a resolution authorizing respondent to execute the contract. The loan was to fund the rehabilitation of the Jaro Big, Arevalo and La Paz Public Markets,” the Ombudsman decision reads.
They also questioned the approval of purchase of 15 brand new motor vehicles for the use of City Council members and procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, and request for supplemental budget to cover, among others, the salaries of newly-created plantilla, additional job hires and executive assistants.
“The purchase of the motor vehicles passed through public bidding and was approved or authorized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The number of Covid-19 vaccines purchased was not excessive as it was duly approved by the National Government through the Department of Health and National Task Force Against Covid-19. The enactment of the supplemental budget is within the prerogative of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and not the executive department. The ordinance was reviewed and approved by the Department of Budget and Management,” the decision added.
“The transactions were all in accordance with existing rules and regulations. The public funds disbursed were used in the implementation of various disease control and containment activities in order to manage transmission of Covid-19 virus,” the decision also stated.
The City Government was lauded for its successful response to the Covid-19 pandemic which Treñas received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in the 2021 Search for Outstanding Government Workers because of his efforts. The recognition was given by the Civil Service Commission Regional Office 6. (Iloilo City PIO)
